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Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you are going
slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced
and able service experts in Geo
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help if you need it. Here are
some things you can check before a trip:
a
0
0
a
a
0
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your
route?’Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifi-eeze at
the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine couId
get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
you or
others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant
mix.
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler
caps are on.
Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop
to its retainer. Then let the hood down
and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the engine oil
pressure light on the
instrument panel comes
on, it means
you need
to check
your engine oil level
right away.
For more information,
see “Engine Oil Pressure Light”
in the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder. It’s a good
idea
to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
Turn off the engine and
give the oil a few minutes
drain back into the oil
pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show
the actual level.
to
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Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
iApBrh, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities
and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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3. Pull out the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32” C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to change your transmission fluid.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Geo dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
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Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
label under the hood and “Air Conditioning
Refrigerants” at the end of this section.
Air Conditioning?
... See the refrigerant information
Please refer to “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for more information.
Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill
...... . 3.0 quarts (2.8 L)**
Overhaul
Two-Door Convertible
...... 5.4 quarts (5.1 L)
Four-Door Hardtop
........ 7.3 quarts (6.9 L)
Automatic Transmission ....... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)
Manual Transmission
....... 5.6 quarts (5.3 L)
With Filter Change ........ 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)*
Front Differential ............ 1.1 quarts (1.0 L)
Fuel Tank
Two-Door Convertible
....... 11.1 gallons (42 L)
Four-Door Hardtop ......... 14.5 gallons (55 L)
Cooling System
Crankcase Manual Transmission
Four-wheel Drive
........ 1.6 quarts (1.5 L)**
Two-Wheel Drive .......... 2.0 quarts (1.9 L)**
Rear Differential ............. 2.3 quarts (2.2 L)
Transfer Case ............... 1.8 quarts (1.7 L)
* When changing the oil filter, additional oil may be
needed. Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
** Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid” in
the Index.
Wheel Nuts
Wheel Nut Torque ............. 60 lb-ft (80 N-m)
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Gem Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
I M PORTANT:'
. AT THE PROPER
KEEP
ENGINE OIL
EVEL AND
CHANGE AS
RECOMMEND.ED
I
This section covers the maintenance required for your
Geo. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its
safety, dependability and emission control performance.
Protection
Plan
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or
the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your Geo
dealer
for details.
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